Soldier Honored: Grant A. Dampier

Private First Class (PFC) Grant Dampier, 25, of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin joined the U.S. Army in September 2004 and was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team, Fort Carson, Colorado. He was deployed a short time later in December 2004 and was expected to return home in September, 2005. PFC Dampier died May 15, 2006 when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle during combat patrol operations in Bagdad, Iraq.

A graduate of Merrill Senior High School in 1999, PFC Dampier was a member of the wrestling team. After high school, he worked for Marathon Electric in Wausau, Wisconsin before joining the Army. PFC Dampier enjoyed fishing, watching the Green Bay Packers, hip-hop music, truck racing and his car. But most of all he loved his wife and his three little girls. He was very proud of them and wanted them to be proud of him.

PFC Dampier is survived by his wife and three daughters, one of which is a Folds of Honor Children’s Fund scholarship recipient.